Nothing proves that you have been in Switzerland liking bringing back home a Swiss wine bottle! The reason is simple, only about 1% of Switzerland’s wine leaves the country. The Swiss produce about 200 million liters of wine per year and consume almost all of it within borders. That’s why it’s said that the Swiss like to keep their wine to themselves. Despite the low volume Switzerland produces unique wines. And in fact, 20 out of 26 Swiss wine regions grow over 200 grape varieties! The Swiss winery experience is not limited to picking the right bottle. The Swiss natural beauty amplifies its pleasure. With most vineyards either surrounded by mountains, overlooking lakes or often both, such as the Lavaux vineyards, the scenery itself is a thing to enjoy even for non-wine drinkers.

Valais

Valais, renown for its posh and flashy ski resorts of Verbier and Zermatt, is also Switzerland’s largest wine producer due to its sunny and dry microclimate. And thus one of the top Swiss wine regions. Here the art of wine-growing literally reaches new heights – particularly in Visperterminen. It is here where the Europe’s highest vineyards lie, at an elevation of 1100 meters above sea level. The vineyards line the north slopes of the Rhone valley, rising up narrow, steep terraces and overlooked by snow covered peaks. The Swiss wine grown here is just as special as the location, The wine-growers of Visperterminen cultivate a Tramin grape, which is pressed into the Heida wine. You should try the white Petite Arvine, the flagship Swiss wine, in its birthplace of Fully or the red Humagne Rouge in Leytron. Make sure to visit Sierre, the capital of Valais wine and its museum, which is split into two parts. The first, located at the Château de Villa in Sierre, provides a history of wine including the production process and a wide collection of wines to taste.  Through a Wine Path decorated by picturesque vineyards you can reach the second part, located in the nearby town of Salgesch at the Maison Zumofen, which focuses on local conditions and grape varieties.

Lavaux vineyard

For a stretch of about 30 km and covering about 800 hectares, the Lavaux vineyard terraces envelop lake Geneva between Lausanne and the Chillon Castle in Montreux. UNESCO has taken this region under its protection since 2007 because of its historic and unique construction. During the 11th century these vast hillsides belonged to Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries. The monks turned the formerly wooded area into productive vineyards that were blessed with breathtaking vistas. The Lavaux vineyard terraces in canton Vaud are the homeland of Chasselas, Switzerland’s most consumed wine. The rock slides here created a mineral rich environment and unique soil make-up that gives the Chasselas a refreshing and crispy flavour. We recommend to start your wine route in Lavaux vineyards at the medieval St. Saphorin with its narrow alleys and characteristic winegrowers’ houses from the 16th to 19th centuries. The town’s original church steeple still keeps many wine labels today. Those who want to experience the scenery with all the senses should also taste it! So make sure to pass by the wine cellars planted on the way and taste the different Swiss wines offered. If you had more than a couple glasses on the go, the “Lavaux Express” is ready to comfortably transport you through the World Heritage Region.

Geneva vineyards

Geneva, home to international organizations and private banks, is also second largest Swiss wine producer. The world does not end at its city boundaries. Although rural Geneva is largely unknown, it is here where some of the best Swiss wine regions are! Geneva Vineyards cover the rolling hills on both the left and right banks of the Rhone river just a few kilometers outside the center.  We recommend to discover charming villages on foot or cycling, to dine in superb restaurants and become acquainted with typical Geneva dishes. Exceptionally gifted cooks and innovative winegrowers uphold Geneva’s reputation as the culinary capital of Switzerland. Here in different times of the year, the Geneva vineyards owners organise “Les Caves Ouvertes”. It is an open day where you can hop freely between the wine caves to taste their wines and buy a bottle or even a carton☺️

Ticino wines

Also known as Switzerland’s little Italy, Ticino is renowned for its fine Ticino wines, especially Merlots. Climatic conditions provide the ideal balance of sun and rain to make its key town Mendrisiotto an ideal wine region. The Ticino wine growers still use the traditional pergola method for growing the vines. Quite often the winemakers offer wine lovers the opportunity to participate in the harvest for a day. The wine route takes you through hilly landscapes where vineyards dominate the scenery and picturesque villages nestle in the hillsides of Mendrisiotto. The small town centers have maintained their artistic heritage. And you can enjoy the Swiss wine regions culture through their wines!

Grisons/Graubünden

Bündner Herrschaft in the northern part of Graubünden canton, is the homeland to some of the best Pinot Noir. It is the combination of föhn wind, mild climate and the lime-rich soil is a key factor responsible for maturing the grapes. There are 40+ types of vines along the Rhine that stretches from Fläsch to Malans! The most common white is the Riesling-Sylvaner, known locally as Müller-Thurgau. Grisons is the homeland of the completer grape, a rare indigenous vine, whose origins go to the 8th century. The village of Malans is considered the birth place of this dry white. Malans is an excellent place to also sip some of the region’s Pinot Noirs. We hope we convinced you that it is so worth it to travel Switzerland and “taste” its culture in some of the most picturesque Swiss wine regions!